Why Is This Horse Being Pulled From A Muddy Pit At BEGIN AGAIN

Hoofprints of Love
SPRING 2014
CONTENTS
Max’s Column
2
Our Adopters Write
5
Wish List
6
On The Trail
7
Sponsorship
10
Horses for Adoption
11
Adopted Horses
13
Volunteer Spotlight—Jo Till
14
Donations
15
Volunteer Opportunities
17
Why Is This Horse Being Pulled From A Muddy Pit At
BEGIN AGAIN FARMS?
Read About it in Max’s Column
Page 2
-2-
Max’s Corner:
An Eye on the Farm
OMG! Did you see that gorgeous horse brought to our farm by the Emergency Management Team (front cover). I’m sure it’s a mare, it must be a
mare. Just like me, Max, spokeshorse for Begin Again Farms, except
that she can move her legs and her head and weighs 500 pounds. WOW!
Alas, her people, Nature’s Way Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, took
her away after she had done her job in the mud pit teaching Technical
Large Animal Rescue.
Rescue workers came from all over to participate in
this three-day training sponsored by the State of
Georgia. They learned to catch and handle horses,
build temporary fences, do some herding into these
fences with the (less than impressed) donkeys, rescue horses from mud pits, hose down horses and
more. Tony did a great job allowing them to lead
him up a hill with a fire hose. Tornados we ARE
prepared!
Thanks, Nature’s Way, for choosing Begin Again to do your
classes. And thanks to Jim Fuller
for spending your day digging a
hole and working the tractor to get
that lovely mare in and out of the
mudhole. (Whoever says she—
and I—aren’t real!)
(continued page 3)
Hoofprints of Love is the newsletter of Begin Again Farms, Inc., a 501c-3 equine rescue in
Ellerslie, GA.
If you are not on our e-mail list for the newsletter and upcoming events, please contact:
reusmannl@bellsouth.net
-3-
MAX’S COLUMN
(continued from page 2)
In other news, the Farm received a donation of a round pen, which is up in the Big Field, saving trainers’ time
and energy when working with the horses pastured out there. Our barn is being featured in Realtree Girl
Swimsuit ads for 2014, and they have made a nice donation for letting them do their photoshoot at Begin
Again.
This summer, Begin Again Farms is pleased to be assisting with The
Georgia TeenWork Internship Program. This program “is designed
to ensure that Georgia's foster youth are equipped with the skills and
opportunities necessary to enable them to mature into well-balanced
and self-sufficient members of society”. This will be a great opportunity for the young people and for the Farm.
Coming Events
April 26—Memorial Trail Ride &
Silent Auction Fund Raiser
May 10 & 11—Wellness Clinic
And, hay, we have some exciting items coming up. Our annual Memorial Trail Ride and Silent Auction is always a phenomenal time.
Spring is, I think, the most beautiful time on the trails with blooming wildflowers and birds singing their hearts
out.
Have you signed up yet to help at the Memorial Trail Ride? Volunteer jobs include parking, monitoring/
assisting at the obstacle course, T-shirt sales, food sales, registration/sign-in table, silent auction and clean
up. The more the merrier! Please contact Shelly Stansell 229-314-1205.
We need more banner and T-shirt sponsors, Silent Auction items, raffle and drawing prizes. Don’t be bashful!
Ask around. If you didn’t get the sponsorship letter, just send an e-mail to reusmannl@bellsouth.net and she’ll
be sure to send one off to you.
Wellness Clinic is going to be fun as well—Parelli instructor, farrier, chiropractor. Talks on dental care, horse massage, etc. For more information call
Rhonda at 706-315-6945 or write beginagainfarm@aol.com
Sadly, our wonderful education miniature donkey Elmer passed away due to
tracheal issues which sometimes occurs in miniature donkeys. The doctors in
Auburn said it was very rare, but had no cure.
Lili, his best friend, was heart broken, so we have decided to keep the other
two miniature donkeys, Hershey and Hailey, and train them to go to schools
and other events. Lili has made friends with the girls and the three hang out
together all the time.
Our wonderful long-haired red cat, Sister, is missing. We hope she will find
her way home.
JIM FULLER FARM
Quality Coastal Bermuda Hay
(Square & Round Bales)
Mulch Hay . Wheat Straw
Seasonal Grain & Produce
706-570-4542
ELMER
-4-
-5-
ADOPTERS SHARE THEIR PHOTOS
Have you adopted a horse from Begin Again? Please share their photos and stories.
Send to reusmannl@bellsouth.net
-6-
Volunteer Luncheon and
Awards Ceremony—
A great time with friends!
Thank, Julie Parks, for the yummy cake!
Wish List
Horse Supplies:
Nutrena Stock & Stable 12%
Nutrena Safe Choice Perform
Beet Pulp
In Balance
Feed Dishes
Mineral Blocks
Sweet PDZ
Shavings or Pellets for Stalls
Wormer
Fly Spray
Fly Spray for Piranha Spray Master
100 gallon water troughs
Equilix
Event Needs:
Folding Chairs
Awnings (Free Standing)
Picnic Tables or Banquet Tables
Cooper’s General
Store
9170 Ga. Hwy. 85
Waverly Hall, GA 31831
706-582-2011
Lowest Livestock Feed Prices in
the Area!!
Tools and Equipment:
Any kind of yard tools
Fence Charger
Steel T-Posts—6’
Chain for Gates
Any Size Gates
Hog or Horse Wire
Lumber, especially treated 2x8x12 for the
arena
Help: Someone to run water lines
Tack:
Harness for Draft
Any new or used saddles &
miscellaneous tack
Horse Blankets
-7-
On the Trail….
By Alice Stagg
I was honored when asked recently to provide a column for
the Begin Again newsletter – honored but concerned at the
same time. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I tried
to sort out what kind of column I wanted to deliver. Where
should my focus be? What would appeal to the largest audience and still be educational and useful? Then, Editor
Linna said I needed to give her a NAME for this column
too! When I switched from worrying about the content of
the column and focused on the name instead, things became much clearer to me. I told her I would call it “On the
Trail…”.
No, it will not be solely about trail riding, though I enjoy that
and you never know when I might be inspired to write
something on the subject. Rather, the intention behind the
name is to indicate the philosophy in which I believe so
strongly. Personally, I feel that I am always “on the trail” of
knowledge. I am seeking to make myself a better rider,
trainer, teacher and person. Although my primary discipline
these days is dressage centered, I have had successful
times in the 3 day eventing world, the hunter/jumper world
and most recently, the world of ACTHA – American Competitive Trail Horse Association events. My longtime coach,
J. Ashton (Jeff) Moore, paid me a high compliment when
he said that I have always ridden the “unlikely” horses and
made them exceed expectations. It’s true that with one exception, a Dutch Warmblood, all my other horses
have been either grade or crossbred types that most would not have picked as dressage or jumping prospects. I credit Jeff Moore with expanding my world of knowledge about how to bring these horses along and
develop them into willing partners. As I have grown older and faced a number of health challenges, the skills
I’ve learned from him have been a real advantage to me in allowing me to continue riding and training.
The thinking and learning processes I follow can be beneficial no matter what body type you are, what physical challenges you may have, what style of riding one may do, or what breed of horse one has. What it isn’t is
easy. Interacting with equines, either on the ground or from the saddle, is both mentally and physically challenging if you are a thinking horseman. It is also extremely humbling. If you are not ready to blame yourself
for an issue before blaming the horse, your head is not in the right place and you may want to take up another
sport.
I will warn you now that most of what will appear in this column will not be my original thoughts. I’m just not
that smart. However, along my own journey I may have found ways to modify something a professional has
taught me, another mental image to suggest, or something I’ve learned by experience. I’m happy to share it
all. I love the quote included with this column, and it bears repeating here. “It’s the possibility that keeps me
going, not the guarantee.” Whether you find what I write useful or even interesting, I cannot say. I can only
invite you to join me on the trail…
The latest blog from Horse Listening (featured page 9) is well articulated. It should make us mindful that we
are trying to communicate and cajole certain responses from our four legged partners, who have many of the
same issues that we do from day to day. Maybe they slept wrong and feel stiff. Maybe their flight response
has been revved up by something. Maybe the weather is not “perfect”. Maybe they
(continued page 8)
On The Trail (continued from page 7)
-8-
are concerned because their pasture mate is whinnying. Maybe, maybe, maybe. As Jeff Moore has said
many times, horses aren’t mind readers and they didn’t get the daily schedule you have prepared. It is our
duty and responsibility to employ the techniques and tactics needed at the moment to create the harmony we
desire. It may take minutes or weeks, but patience and consistency is key.
The other thing Jeff says often when asked whether or not a certain approach would work in dealing with an
issue is, “I don’t know. Try it and see.” It is always good to have an open mind when dealing with horses (or
most anything else). Be experimental. That’s what we want in our horses too. We want them to feel they have
the freedom to choose a response. It may not be the one we want right then, but that offers the opportunity for
appropriate correction, then a repeat of the request. Horses learn both good and bad things by repetition. Unfortunately they seem to glom onto the bad stuff with much fewer repetitions than they do the good stuff, and
it takes a loooonnnnggg time to retrain an undesirable behavior once it becomes ingrained. Clinging to dogma
gives us tunnel vision and denies us and our horses the opportunity to think for ourselves, and to experiment. I hope to achieve the desired standard in whatever I work on, but not by force and not by smothering
the expressive freedom of my horse. Nothing feels better to me than to have the horse offer even a glimmer
of what I seek without being constrained and contained. Ride on!
These reasons apply from the ground as well. I think too many people want the instant gratification of riding
without the grunt work that must come before to develop a true partnership. Build the basic foundation from
the ground first. If your horse will not “whoa” and stand, or step away from the person quietly when asked, or
respect personal space, or lead properly, then how in the world can a rider expect to have the horse focused
and attentive to them from the saddle?
Thank you to Equipped Equine for the graphic on the preceding page, and to Horse Listening for the
“Seven Reasons” blog. Both are found on Facebook, and you may wish to sign up for the Horse Listening blogs, which are all very good.
7 Reasons Why “It Depends” Is the Right Answer in Horse Riding (from Horse
Listening)
It seems like everywhere you turn, someone has a different idea about what you should do when you ride.
There might even be the time when the SAME person tells you to do two completely opposite things during one situation.
Let’s take your coach for instance. One day, she says you need more leg to get the horse going better. Another day she
says to half-halt more often and slow the legs down. Bend more here, straighten up there.
Make up your mind already! How is it that so many variations apply to the same outcome?
Obviously, the last thing we want to know is that there are seemingly endless variations to a multitude of skills that we
have to learn if we want to be effective riders for our horses.
But when it comes to horses, the only “truth” is that there are many truths. It is our calling as riders to figure out which
one works when and why. The learning is never-ending and even when you think you know it all, another horse comes
into your life to bring you back to earth (hopefully not literally!).
Here are 7 reasons why “it depends” might be exactly the right answer to your situation!
(continued page 9)
Continued from Page 8)
-9-
1. Your horse might be very accommodating.
When your horse works at his best, the sky is the limit! You can do almost anything you can think of – with very little effort coming from you! These moments teach you how much you can do and how the aids combine to make everything
fall together. Your aids can whisper and you can float along almost as if you aren’t there. Your horse’s responses might
come easier, and he also appreciates the harmony.
2. Your horse might be excited.
An excited horse may need more guidance, simpler and quicker aids. The quiet suggestive aids from yesterday may not
be adequate if the horse is distracted or unresponsive in some manner. You might need to seek his attention and work
harder to make more basic requests. You might not be able to do the intricate moves from yesterday simply because his
frame of mind is different.
3. The weather conditions might be different from the day before.
Almost all horses are affected in some way by temperature or precipitation. Riding the same horse on a hot muggy day
or in pouring rain or in freezing cold temperatures might require different strategies. Discovering your horse’s preferred
weather condition makes the ride easier but working in less than ideal conditions is also necessary if you want to stay on
a regular program. You have to learn how to ride the horse during various conditions.
4. You might not be as coordinated as your last ride.
Once in a while, you might be the inconsistent one. Maybe you had a rough day at school or work and you come to the
riding session tense and frustrated. Maybe you have a cold and your reactions are slow and laboring. If you can be sensitive to your own emotional and physical state, you can take steps to counter them once you get on your horse’s back.
5. You might be trying something new.
Whenever we step out of our comfort zone, we step into insecurity and frustration. It is perfectly normal to go backward
before you move beyond your current level of expertise. While you try to speed up/slow down/quieten the aids, you discover that you lose some of the mastery you once had.
The same happens with the horse if you are trying to teach him something new. Awareness of what needs to be done
during the confused moments is the ticket to making it through the learning curve, both for yourself as well as your horse.
6. Your situation might be different from someone else’s.
You go to a clinic and watch as someone learns or develops her skill during the ride. You come home and apply the
same strategies and for whatever reason, things don’t go the same way. In horseback riding, it is often unfair to compare
yourself to others in the sense that everything impacts your and your horse’s performance. By knowing the specific factors that go into your situation, you can make better gains.
7. Training level causes variations.
Both you and your horse’s background and skill impact the next steps you can take. More often than not, you will discover that you have to go back to the basics and develop them before you can go ahead with higher expectations. There
is nothing wrong with identifying a missing building block and working on that before you try to do something more difficult. Learning things step by step is a valuable and safe approach to riding.
I hear people’s frustration when they ask a question and the answer is, “It depends.”
But understanding the variables in riding is the key to knowing that it is perfectly fine to learn many strategies that will
invariably end in the same goal. And when someone asks, “What do I have to do when…?”
The answer might just be, “It depends!”
-10-
HORSE SPONSORSHIP
What a great response Begin Again had from
the last issue’s request for sponsorship! Since
that time, Coal, Peanut, Navajo and Prince
have received full sponsorship! They are delighted to have their own person who grooms
them, gives them attention, and, in many
cases, work with them.
In particular, Begin Again would like to see someone sponsor the mini donkeys
and train them as education animals to go to schools, events and parades.
The Farm’s goal is to have all of our unadoptable (or less likely to be adoptable) to have sponsorships. Can’t
afford the time or the money for a full sponsorship? No problem! Just pick a horse from the list below and
send what you can for a partial sponsorship.
The following are still looking for sponsors:
BLUE (Ghostwalker) - An older gray quarter horse gelding. Loves to be
groomed. He’s currently living with his best friend, Stretch the steer.
CLYDE (mule) - An older guy with tons of personality.
HERSHEY, HAILEY and LILI—Miniature donkeys, education animals.
Very sweet natured.
HANDSOME—Beautiful white horse with major fear issues.
IZZY—Dun stallion, very good natured. Will never be able to be ridden due to
foalhood injury.
POGO—A darling miniature horse. Very shy at first, but is coming around.
PRETTY BOY—This tall, handsome palomino has pemphigus, an auto-immune
disorder. While he is doing much better, he still has some occasional lameness.
Gentle disposition, loves to be groomed and petted.
LILI
RANSOM—Bay with the most gorgeous eyes. Very gentle. Has Cushing’s disease, which currently is most obvious
because of his incredibly long coat.
TUTT—Chunky palomino with permanent lameness issues.
WILBUR—Described by the people who brought him as a “Miniature Shetland”, this is a wonderful little guy who does
pony rides and education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIP—
Please contact Rhonda at 706-315-6945
-11-
Horses for Adoption
BBR BITSY CUTTER—chestnut Paint mare, who despite her name is not small. Currently under training.
BINGO—chestnut Quarter Horse gelding, 2-year-old.
Leads well.
BRAYGORN—8-year-old quiet bay Thoroughbred gelding. Off the track, used for trailriding. Has been Parelli
trained. Only drawback on this horse is he is a cribber.
CHARLIE—Beautiful Chestnut Tennessee Walking
horse gelding. Has Flaxen mane and tail.
DILLONS ONE GUN DEAL—bay Paint gelding
BITSY
LW CATALENA KATESBUCK—registered buckskin
dun breeding stock Paint mare.
PEANUT II—Chestnut Tennessee Walking Horse
gelding. Has now put on weight and looks great,
ready for riding.
PICKLEENA—registered bay Quarter Horse mare. She’s
had tons of training, but can be cold-backed.
(continued on page 12)
PICKLEENA
-12-
Horses for Adoption (continued from page 9)
MOSES—Handsome young mule. Prefers women. He is still
shy about halters, but loves treats and company.
PEANUT II—Chestnut TWH gelding.
PRINCESS—Pinto miniature horse, Prefers children,
RW DUALLYS MAIA JANE—registered chestnut Quarter Horse
mare.
RW PLAYBOYS ARROWLENA—registered chestnut Quarter
Horse mare
MOSES
RW SKIPS COMMANDER—registered bay Quarter
Horse gelding. Very sweet. Stands beautifully for
farrier
RAIN—Chestnut TWH gelding.
REP aka REPLICA’S IMPRESSION—Over twentyyear old quarter horse gelding, full of pep. Ex-roper. Very
enced rider only. Has saddling issues.
RHETT—Black 22-year-old TWH, companion animal only due to arthritis.
(continued page 13)
COMMANDER
experi-
-13-
Horses for Adoption (continued from page 10)
SCOUT—Scout is a beautiful Chestnut gelding, large
pony size. Scout has been started under saddle but
needs lots of work before can be ridden safely.
SIROCCO—Handsome six-year-old registered Palomino
Morgan gelding. Athletic, conformationally correct . He
needs a firm but fair owner providing consistency in riding and ground work. He has been ridden both English
and Western, and has the potential for advancing in any
discipline.
TINY TIM—Small chestnut Quarter Horse/Paso Fino
gelding. Three years old. Loves people.
TIZZY—This beautiful Quarter Horse mare has permanent lameness issues from being struck by a car. She’s
a nice horse, and would love to be adopted as a companion horse.
SIRROCCO
ADOPTED THIS QUARTER
Molly
Lena
Henry
Firestorm (pictured)
-14-
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
JO TILL
Interviewed by Julie Seeley
Tell me how you first got involved with Begin Again
Farms, Inc.
When I moved to Georgia in 2003, I was looking for something.
A friend knew I had horses in the past and she introduced me
to Rhonda and the Farm.
What’s your first memory of Begin Again Farms, Inc?
The first afternoon I went out to see the Farm Sarah the donkey tried to eat my Subway sandwich.
What’s the best/worst thing to happen since you started
working with Begin Again Farms, Inc.?
The best: I can honestly say I have met some amazing friends, both two-legged and four-legged. The worst:
losing some amazing four-legged friends.
Why are you supporting Begin Again Farms, Inc. as opposed to other groups?
The horses. I have always been involved with horses while growing up.
The interest in Begin Again Farms, Inc. seems to be growing/waning. Why do you think that is?
It is growing. When I started volunteering, there were only a handful of people. Over the years it has grown
and will continue to grow.
(continued on page 13)
A Special Thank You To
ALICE & JOHN
SANDS
For their Sponsorship
-15-
V OL U NT EER S POTL IG HT
( CONTINUED
FROM PAGE
12)
What would you tell someone who is thinking about donating or volunteering?
If you donate, you will see your money put to good use. As for volunteering, it is rewarding to see the results
and feel the compassion of each horse.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Begin Again Farms, Inc.?
It’s about the horse and not for profit. People that are there are truly there for the horses. Life for some
horses and some people begin at Begin Again.
What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
I work for Kodak and weld for a hobby gone wild.
What do you wish other people knew about Begin Again Farms, Inc.?
It is a place you can connect with an animal, feel the compassion and almost feel their stories when they
come to Begin Again.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m a star gazer.
All services provided by Begin Again Farms, Inc. are
funded entirely by gifts and donations.
For more information about how you can help support these extraordinary equines, please contact:
Rhonda Jackson, President
Begin Again Farms, Inc. Equine Shelter
PO Box 242
Hamilton, Georgia 31811
Phone (706) 315-6945
E-mail: beginagainfarm@aol.com
Webpage: www.beginagainfarms.com
RITCH ELECTRIC CO., INC.
8A Certified SDB
Woman Owned Enterprise
706-322-6825
-16-
RAISE FUNDS FOR BEGIN AGAIN FARMS, INC. WITH YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES: Begin
Again has been registered as a charity at www.iGive.com. Right now, only 4 shoppers have named
BAFI as their chosen charity and we see a great opportunity to increase the number of shoppers and
the money BAFI will receive from shopping. Anyone can create a free account at this website and
select Begin Again as their designated charity. Don’t worry. You won’t start getting unwanted emails
and phone calls if you register for this account. Then, whenever you shop on the internet, first go to
the iGive Merchant list to see if the company you want is a participant in this program – there are
thousands participating. If the company you want is there, then be sure to shop with that company
ONLY THROUGH THE IGIVE MERCHANT LISTING and a donation will be made to Begin Again for
every purchase. The website will tell you how much is being donated, if there are any exceptions,
and you can check your personal account to see how much your purchases have earned for Begin
Again. This will not work if you go directly to the company’s website to purchase. You must go
through www.iGive.com for the donation to take effect. This is an easy way to help Begin Again, but
it takes lots of supporters so sign up soon and feel good about the added benefit the residents of
BAFI will reap from your shopping.
All in-kind items donated are tax-deductible. As Begin Again Farms, Inc. is a volunteer
organization, your donations go to the horses and the foods and items
to make the horses’ lives happier and healthier!
YES!
I Want To Help A Friend Begin Again…
Name:__________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
City/State___________________________________ Zip ________________
Home Phone ________________ Cell Phone _________________E-mail _______________________
DONATION INFORMATION:
Amount _________________ (Make payable to Begin Again Farms, Inc.)
Clip off form and mail to: Begin Again Farms, Inc., PO Box 242, Hamilton, GA 31811
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
-17VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are essential to Begin Again Farm’s continued good work. Begin Again Farm LOVES volunteers. And volunteers have a lot of fun while doing
worthwhile activities with the horses! Currently we
need the following:
Morning and evening horse care volunteers: fill gaps
in the schedule feeding, refilling water, cleaning
stalls. No experience necessary; we will train.
Persons experienced in training and handling horses
to help prepare them for adoption.
PHOTOGRAPHER WANTED
Volunteer photographer wanted to
take pictures of new horses as they
come in and after they have been
returned to health. Pictures of
adoptable equines should be suitable to be featured on Petfinder
and A Home For Every Horse.
Fundraisers: Volunteers will help plan and carry out
various fundraising events for BAFI. These events
include benefit trail rides, silent auction, etc.
VOLUNTEER WORK DAY—The Second Saturday of
Every Month. Help with special projects around the
farm, including painting; fence construction or repair; cleaning the tack rooms, barn or trailers; trail
clearing; or whatever needs to be done. We will
send out e-mails in advance. If you are not on our email newsletter etc. list, please contact reusmannl@bellsouth.net
If you wish to volunteer for any of the above, or just
want to be on our list for odds and ends (fence building, painting, selling T-shirts), please contact Rhonda
at 706-315-6945.
THE MISSION OF BEGIN AGAIN
FARMS is to rescue imperiled, retired
or abandoned hoofed animals; provide a safe refuge; promote rehabilitation and return to full physical ability;
provide safe adoptions for rehabilitated animals; and expand the knowledge of equine science, training and
horsemanship through association
with community groups
and leaders.
Begin Again Farms, Inc. is a 501(c)3
non-profit organization
Begin Again Farms, Inc.
Equine Shelter
PO Box 242
Hamilton, GA 31811
BEGIN AGAIN FARMS, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President—Rhonda Jackson
Secretary—Joleen Till
Treasurer—Heidi Bryan
John Fullick
Cheryl Fullick
Debbie Snead
Eileen Manseau
Shelley Stansell
Phillip Authement
Thomas Camp, Jr.
Looking for an easy way to help
Begin Again Farms?
Print this newsletter and hang a copy
in the break room of your office of
workplace (or any waiting room)!
Spreading the word about Begin
Again Farms is a huge help to us!